World’s nine least visited countries

Ticked off by tourists? Head to one of the world’s least visited countries and you might have your next ski slope or desert island all to yourself, says Dilvin Yasa.

Travel bores are often heard long before they are seen.

“Maaan – you should have seen Kilimanjaro before the tourists invaded and destroyed the joint," they’ll tell anyone within earshot as they stare pensively into the distance. “Those were the days."

If you’re one of the unfortunate ones caught in the crossfire of intrepid travel flashbacks, two things will go through your mind – the first is unkind, but the second?

How on Earth do these people discover such destinations before the rest of the world cottons on to them?

The answer may lie in planning your next holiday to one of the world’s least visited countries as listed by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

Just don’t become a travel bore when you get back.

Tonga

Visitors: 45,000 per annum

The Kingdom of Tonga is comprised of 176 picturesque islands smattered to the south of Samoa and south-east of Fiji.

You’d think its proximity alone would make this Polynesian wonderland a hit with Australians but Tonga is largely underdeveloped which means that although the western crowds are refreshingly rare, so too are western-standard facilities.

Why you should visit: Surrounded by pristine atolls and lagoons teeming with colourful reefs, wildlife and shipwrecks, Tonga is renowned for its diving and snorkelling.

Get up close to the pods of humpback whales, which mate and calve off the coast of Vava’u between June and November, enjoy a traditional Tongan feast of up to 30 different dishes, then lay back on a hammock and enjoy a kind of tropical serenity that’s free of “NARELLE! – Giza Bintang!"

Getting there: Both Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia fly to Tonga.

Liechtenstein

Visitors: 53,000 per annum

“I’m off to ski Liechtenstein" is not the sort of statement you usually hear come ski season; although this tiny landlocked alpine principality is every bit as picturesque as its neighbours Switzerland and Austria, travellers are often put off by the fact it has no airport and requires quite a bit of effort to get to.

Why you should visit: If you’re into Von Trapp-style mountain scenery complete with gothic castles, stunning cathedrals and powder-white ski slopes, Liechtenstein is for you.

Start off in the capital, Vaduz, where you can take in Schloss Vaduz (home to the royal family), and shop for the principality’s famous pottery before heading out to the mountains.

Malbun Ski Resort (its websites claims it is famous throughout Liechtenstein) offers 23 kilometres of pistes to suit all abilities as well as Malbi Park Kinderland for tiny snow bunnies.

Getting there: Fly to Zurich, then get on one of the many Zurich to Vienna trains or buses (115 kilometres).

Tuvalu

Visitors: 1200 per annum

It’s at the bottom of the tourism list, but sadly, it’s fortunate it’s even on the list at all, considering how quickly this nation of nine low-lying coral atolls is disappearing into the sea.

Neighboured by Fiji and Samoa, Tuvalu is the fourth smallest country in the world with limited infrastructure and industry.

Why visit: Got a luxury vessel you’re keen to sail? Tuvalu is popular with yachting enthusiasts who make the most of its spectacular scenery (and refreshing lack of formalities) by hopping from island to island.

Scuba diving and snorkelling are also top-notch, but if you’re looking to drop out of society for a while, it doesn’t get better (or more remote) than this.

Getting there: Fly Fiji Airways to Suva, then fly to the capital Funafuti.

Comoros

Visitors: 15,000 per annum

Utter the name Comoros and there’s a good chance people will think you’re talking about imported beer so little is known about this tiny African nation.

Located at the northern end of the Mozambique Channel, it’s similar in style to its glam neighbour Seychelles but much poorer – one half of the population live under the poverty line.

Why visit: It’s renowned for its diving, but since Mt Karthala’s 2005 volcanic eruption, it’s actually the hiking in Grande Comore, the largest of the islands, that’s not to be missed.

Also popular with the strutting set is the Dziani Boundouni crater walk on Mwali and hiking in Mayotte (the only island that’s still a part of France) but more sedentary folk will enjoy the bustling market scene and a trip to a flower plantation.

Getting there: Fly Emirates to Johannesburg, then Air Austral via Saint-Denis in Reunion.

Comoros, Mozambique Channel — Comoros beauty

Moldova

Visitors: 8000 per annum

If it weren’t for the joy that is Eurovision, this tiny landlocked Eastern European country would probably never register on our wanderlust radar.

True, Moldova suffers a reputation for being a bit ‘blah’, but since its tourism industry is focused solely on its staggering wine industry (140-plus wineries and counting), little else is known about the republic.

Why visit: If you like a tipple, this is the place for you.

As a wine country, you can fill up a whole week with wine-related activities from visiting vineyards and wine processing factories to emptying your life savings in underground cellars.

Less celebrated, but every bit as interesting, are Moldova’s 87 museums, mostly housed in buildings of special architectural importance.

It’s also worth noting that travelling around Moldova is cheap with prices comparable to those in Indonesia.

Getting there: Fly Emirates to Istanbul or London, then Air Moldova to the capital Chișinău.

Moldova in eastern Europe. — Moldova should be on your wanderlust radar

Federated States of Micronesia

Visitors: 26,000 per annum

On paper, this 607-island nation just north of Papua New Guinea sounds like a traveller’s dream; four unique states – each with their own distinct cultures, traditions and ecologies – wrapped up in a Bounty commercial (all swaying palm trees and pristine lagoons).

Unfortunately, it’s also remote, notoriously expensive to get to, and suffers from a lack of infrastructure.

Why visit: FSM is home to some of the world’s best dive destinations (the state of Chuuk is basically one big underwater wreck museum), and the azure waters off Pohnpei and Kosrae are teeming with hundreds of species of marine wildlife. But for something truly special, visit Yap, the FSM’s most traditional state, where locals still trade using the stone currency.

Getting there: Qantas and United Airlines fly from Brisbane.

Solomon Islands

Visitors: 23,000 per annum

It’s only a three-hour flight off the coast of Australia, yet this tropical island nation also suffers from a case of the ‘Tongas’ (all the right tropical elements but facilities that are too underdeveloped to lure the western dollar).

Now that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stayed at SI’s Tavanipupu Private Island Resort as part of last year’s Pacific tour, however, we suspect this is about to change.

Why visit: Empty beaches fringed by palm trees and pristine water… you’ve heard this all before?

How about caves filled with skulls (an interesting snapshot into their history of cannibalism), and relics and wreckages left over from WWII where some of the bloodiest battles took place in and around the capital, Honiara?

The diving here is stellar, but if you’re more of an ‘above sea level’ kind of person, it’s also the place to take in a scenic canoe adventure.

Getting there: Virgin Australia flies regularly to Honiara.

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Marshall Islands

Visitors: 5000 per annum

Got a lazy $4K to $10K burning a hole in your pocket and a yearning to spend 40-odd hours on a multi-stop flight?

Look no further than the Marshall Islands, an island nation located around the halfway mark between Australia and Hawaii.

Why so expensive? United Airlines has the monopoly on flights out here and have priced them accordingly.

Why visit: The Marshall Islands consist of two island chains of 30 atolls and 1152 islands and is best reserved for the serious (and cashed up) diving enthusiast.

Bikini Atoll, once a ship graveyard and the site of many American nuclear tests in the ’40s and ’50s is a World Heritage site and considered a bucket-list destination for serious divers.

Sand-seekers are better off at a less polluted atoll such as Arno, which will provide that postcard-perfect paradise setting.

Getting there: United Airlines flies to Kwajalein airport from Cairns.

Marshall Islands are closer than you think

Turkmenistan

Visitors: 7000 per annum

Let’s be honest, a country that’s bordered by Afghanistan and Iran to the south and Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to the north is never going to win any popularity competitions.

Largely closed off to the outside world since gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, tourism is welcome; however, Turkmenistan’s omnipresent army and harsh desert terrain often prove to be a deterrent.

Why visit: History buffs will get a kick out of Turkmenistan’s ancient ruins, the most famous of which is Merv, once the largest city in the world, now a UNESCO World Heritage site full of ancient sub-cities.

The ancient city of Nisa is also popular (or as popular as it can be with 7000 visitors).

But our pick? The Darvaza Gas Craters, affectionately known as ‘the gates of hell’.

These were created after a gas exploration in the 1950s and one of the three craters is still burning to this day. Bring marshmallows.

Getting there: Turkish Airlines has regular flights to Ashgabat.

From sophisticated new sleeper trains and opulent hotel openings to the exploration of new frontiers, we’re now finding ourselves in our own gilded era of travel. These 21st-century travel experiences are leading the way.

If we were to turn back the clock 100 years, there was a real romance to travel – the dawning of a glamour-filled jet age, refined rail sojourns and first-class cruising where the voyage itself trounced the destination.

We’re feeling a similar excitement in the air about travel in 2026. Think state-of-the-art cruise liners allowing access to destinations formerly off-limits, resort launches where avant-garde architecture takes centre stage, and a return to the days of luxury locomotives. This reoccurrence of the advances, adventure and elegance of a bygone era has not only come full circle; it’s now superior.

How? Travel has become more mindful, intentional and accessible. This includes environmental initiatives by operators determined to leave less impact on the planet and a shift towards a deeper cultural exchange with the local communities we visit. Whether it’s exploring previously hard-to-reach cities such as Uzbekistan’s Khiva, staying with a family to experience village life in Nepal or discovering new frontiers in Antarctica, our round-up of ‘new golden age’ travel experiences is a snapshot of how we are travelling today, as well as into promising new horizons.

Exploring the emerging city of Khiva

The walled inner city of Khiva, Uzbekistan. (Credit: Getty/Mlenny Khiva)

Uzbekistan’s Silk Road city of Khiva used to be off the radar for many travellers, but 2026 has changed all that. You can thank a new bullet train service connecting Khiva to Bukhara and Samarkand, slashing the trip from the capital of Tashkent from 15 hours to under eight. Add renovations to Urgench International Airport, and interest in this fascinating city is rapidly on the rise.

Quick to react has been Golden Eagle Luxury Trains and The Samarkand Express which have added Khiva to their 2026 rail itineraries, while Cox & Kings has included the Central Asian city to its multi-country 2027 ‘Stans’ itinerary.

Check out Khiva’s preserved inner-walled fortress, the first UNESCO site in Uzbekistan, explore ancient minarets and ornate mausoleums, and try traditional fare at Terrassa Cafe & Restaurant. Looking for fancy digs? The Mercure Khiva is due to swing open its doors later in 2026.

Riding the rails on the Eastern & Oriental Express

inside the Eastern & Oriental Express — Onboard the train, rich fabrics are complemented by elm, cherrywood and teak marquetry. (Credit: Ludovic Balay)

Recapture the romance of rail travel through the tropics of Southeast Asia on the refurbished Eastern & Oriental Express, A Belmond Train, Southeast Asia.

The resurgence of train travel reflects how we are travelling today – slower and with a new appreciation for both scenery and cultural exchange. Include a large dollop of old-world glamour, and the three-night Wild Malaysia tour truly delivers. Winding its way deep into the Malay jungle, the journey makes plenty of pit stops for exploration along the way.

Having been resurrected from a 1970s sleeper, the luxury locomotive now comes replete with plush interiors of hand-cut marquetry dressed in oriental silks and embroidery – there’s even a Dior Spa. Watch the world go by from the Observation Car, indulge in fine wining and dining, kick up your heels in the Piano Bar, then snooze it all off in your sumptuous sleeper car.

Embracing Mother Nature in Peru

Travelling to Peru is like stepping into a kaleidoscope of contrasting cultures and landscapes. Whether you’re learning about shamanic natural remedies in the pre-Inca Colca Valley, cruising the wilds of the Amazon on a luxury river ship or discovering firsthand why the contemporary capital of Lima is celebrated for its culinary and artistic scenes, there are myriad reasons why this colourful country is topping wish lists.

One such experience is the Ultimate Peru by River and Rail journey (five days) by Abercrombie & Kent, available in 2026. This incredible river cruise allows you to truly connect with the jungle rhythms of the Amazon via skiff and on foot with in-the-know local guides, and includes nights onboard newly launched luxury riverboat Pure Amazon, an A&K Sanctuary.

Spot exotic creatures such as sloths, macaws, piranhas, and pink dolphins on the daily excursions, before juxtaposing these wild encounters with a return to pure pampering on the boat.

Seeking sustainable community experiences in Nepal

tharu woman — Tharu woman and master weaver Parbati Chaudhary in Bhada Village. (Credit: Bheem Thapa)

While Nepal has traditionally attracted visitors to traverse its majestic mountains – Everest and Annapurna in particular – travel experiences in this beautiful Himalayan nation are expanding.

Home stays, where you reside with Nepali families and take an active part in their daily lives, are a growing attraction. It’s a win:win for local youths – who took their country back after bloody protests in 2025 – wanting to stay in Nepal rather than moving abroad for work, as well as foreigners seeking a deeper cultural experience. Nepali women, Indigenous people and marginalised castes are also benefitting from home stays, upping the feel-good factor even further.

Leading the charge is Community Home Stay Network, which links travellers to local-family hosts. Travel off-the-beaten path to homes in areas including Tharu in the south, learn how to cook Nepali style, and take part in traditions such as making moonshine, dancing and weaving straw handicrafts.

Exploring new frontiers in Antarctica

an ice window at Wilhelmina Bay — A breathtaking ice window captured at Wilhelmina Bay on the Antarctic Peninsula. (Credit: Renato Granieri)

Gone are the days when a trip to Antarctica meant a perilous voyage through the Drake Passage on a vessel holding the mere essentials. Innovative cruise ships now offer a smooth and sophisticated passage to the White Continent, as well as experiences formerly off-limits.

Abercrombie & Kent’s 19-day Antarctica, South Georgia and Falklands: Holiday Voyage captures it all. Spot breaching whales and gracefully gliding albatrosses from the deck, before stepping onto this Narnia-like landscape with daily Zodiac excursions. Observe adorable penguin and fur seal colonies, visit Antarctic communities that were previously too remote, and get so close to colossal icebergs that you’ll feel humbled by their scale.

Silversea‘s Antarctica Fly Cruise voyages will soon include a stay at The Cormorant at 55 South, the southernmost hotel on Earth purpose-built to bring uncompromised comfort to guests travelling to Antarctica.

When it comes to protecting this fragile eco-system, the future is also looking bright: HX Expeditions has partnered with the University of Tasmania to create a world-first educational course allowing cruise guests to dive into Antarctic science and sustainability, while A&K pours funds into conservation efforts and uses energy-efficient hybrid ships – all in trademark luxury, of course.

Indulging in New Zealand’s exceptional dining

Ayrburn, Queenstown — The Ayrburn precinct serves up delicate dishes.

By welcoming the Michelin Guide to sample Aotearoa/New Zealand’s finest gastronomy for the first time, our cousins across the ditch have now become serious players on the world culinary scene.

And there’s never been a better time to experience NZ’s greatest gastronomy with the inaugural guide currently going to press. Sample haute cuisine in Queenstown with a side serving of theatrics by culinary director Paul Froggatt at Essence in the new ROKI Collection hotel, and pull up a chair at Amisfield for its delicious degustation experience under new chef Sung Peng, with the world-renowned restaurant slated to reopen in July.

And it’s not just Queenstown holding all the culinary cards. The Michelin inspectors travelled to rate the best epicurean artistry in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, Te Whanganui a Tara/Wellington and Ōtautahi/Christchurch against the world’s most renowned restaurateurs (bring loose pants).

Bedding down at design-led hotels and farm stays

a woodfired sauna at Azuma Farm Koiwai — A woodfired sauna deepens the meditative state at Azuma Farm Koiwai. (Credit: Azuma Farm Koiwai)

New grand dames on the global hotel stage are receiving a standing ovation for their triumphant 2026 openings.

Return to old-world elegance at the Orient Express Venezia, a reimagined former 15^th-century royal residence set in Venice’s Palazzo Dona Giovannellii. It certainly makes for a regal stay, with grand Neo-Gothic windows and restored Baroque splendour blending seamlessly with modern luxury flourishes. Also bringing the fantasy factor is France’s Zannier Île de Bendor on a petite private island off the Provençal coast. Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea – and with three luxe, design-led accommodation concepts to choose from – this resort exudes golden-era glamour.

In a breath of fresh air, we’ve also seen an uptick in farm stays. Trade the urban rush for a rambling rural retreat at Sibbjäns, Sweden’s first boutique farm stay, or opt for horseback riding followed by woodfired saunas on the sprawling eight-hectare Azuma Farm Koiwai in Japan.

Cruising the Danube on a festive Eastern Euro adventure

The magical Pécs Christmas Market in Hungary. (Credit: Emily Murphy)

Dreaming of a white Christmas? While floating past snow-dusted, fairytale cities on a river ship in Eastern Europe makes for an amazing voyage, when you add the magic of Christmas the whole experience becomes, well, more magical.

From twinkling trees and tinsel to red-nosed reindeer and wreath decorations, the festivities greet you the moment you step aboard AmaMagna by AmaWaterways. The ship then spirits you away along the Lower Danube for a seven-night Gems of Southeast Europe adventure from Romania to Hungary.

Explore Bulgaria’s medieval city of Veliko Tarnovo, glide into the dramatic Iron Gates crossing into Serbia; and sip on fine wines at Croatia’s Kast Winery (one variety made famous by Queen Elizabeth II). The highlight? For many it’s wandering the shimmering Christmas markets in Hungary’s Pécs. Peruse stalls selling unique handicrafts, try the traditional treat of kürtőskalács (chimney cake), and warm your cockles with a cup of mulled wine.

Delving into the buzzing city of Beijing

Lama Temple, Beijing — Calm and chaos at Lama Temple in Beijing. (Credit: Natasha Bazika)

Walking the line between its imperial past and a frenetic, futuristic present – Beijing is an exciting city to dive into.

If you want to be centrally located, the palatial Peninsula Beijing is hard to beat. From here, strap in at street level for a stroll among the city’s famed hutongs (ancient alleyways), pausing to taste traditional delicacies such as jianbing (savoury breakfast crepe) and dumpling soup. Then scope out the narrow lanes dotted with siheyuan courtyard homes (there are only 1000 left), and if you love to shop, head to Taikoo Li Sanlitun for a mix of luxury brands and local labels.

And it wouldn’t be a well-rounded trip to this history-rich city without experiencing its highlights reel. Admire golden-topped architecture in the Forbidden City, take a hike on the Great Wall of China and pay a visit to Tiananmen Square for both remembrance and observation on how it operates today.

Embarking on a round-the-world cruise

Can’t decide where to go on a cruise? On a round-the-world voyage you can live out all your dreams at sea.

It’s not a new idea – the first world cruise occurred more than a century ago on Cunard’s RMS Laconia in 1922 – but a reimagining. If you don’t have a spare year up your sleeve, you can now join for specific legs of the journey (unlike the 1922 trip), and ships have been modernised with sustainability measures, contemporary designs and a less formal feel.

Queen Anne, also by Cunard, cruised the world in 2026 with guests joining at handpicked ports, including in Central America for the extraordinary experience of crossing the Panama Canal. If you want the full adventure by circumnavigating the globe, Queen Anne will set sail on another world voyage in 2028.

Discovering the joys of small-group travel in Spain

Intrepid Travel's olive oil and wine tasting at Molino El Vínculo, Grazalema — Sample organic wine and olive oil on a tasting tour in Molino El Vínculo in Grazalema with Intrepid Travel. (Credit: Intrepid Travel/Tim Luck)

Small-group touring is a travel trend currently soaring, with many embracing it as an authentic, intimate and insightful way to visit a country – with VIP benefits to boot.

The small-group format, typically capped at five to 15 guests, is now accounting for around 62 per cent of group travel worldwide. And operators such as Intrepid Travel, APT Luxury Travel and Janesco Travel are among the frontrunners in this space, handling all navigation and insider experiences within an intimate group led by expert guides.

Seeking a Spanish sojourn? Small-group journeys to the vibrant southern Andalusia region are now topping bucket lists. Be mesmerised by flamenco dancers from a professional dance school (rather than touristy versions), learn how to make authentic sangria with a private class, skip queues at the Real Alcázar of Seville royal palace, and score a seat at the best Andalusian restaurants, sans waitlist.

Learning from the past in Japan

inside the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum — The Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum presents a sobering dive into the nuclear event. (Credit: Eleanor Edström)

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to experience a war-time atomic bomb, hopefully the closest any of us will ever get is a visit to Nagasaki.

While on a cruise excursion to the Japanese city aboard the Diamond Princess, you can visit the fascinating hypocentre of the Second World War bomb dropped to widespread annihilation in 1945. While there is no doubt this is heavy material to digest on a tour, it comes with a message of hope – that the horror of a nuclear war should never happen again.

There is also much more to this 11-day Japan Explorer Cherry Blossoms with Princess Cruises voyage. Witness the world’s most active volcano in Kagoshima, join a traditional tea ceremony in Kyoto and marvel at Mt Fuji in Shimizu. Also don’t miss the onsen experiences onboard the ship or its many mouth-watering local culinary offerings. Next departure is March 2027.

Supporting a typhoon-ravaged community in Vietnam

Zannier Bai San Ho — Time to kick back at Zannier Bãi San Hô. (Credit: Amber Hunter)

When typhoon Typhoon Kalmaegi ripped through Vietnam’s south-central coast in November 2025, it left a devastating trail of destruction.

And Zannier Bãi San Hô, an expansive 98-hectare beachfront resort, took a direct hit. An incredible five-month clean-up and restoration has now seen the Green Globe-certified retreat reopen, thanks in large part to the local community who rallied to help rebuild it. The support goes both ways; the 180-strong resort staff is made up of 177 locals – their livelihoods dependent on it.

You can help by simply booking a stay here. It’s hardly a punish, when you consider the beauty and luxury of this place; picture private pool villas and powder-white beaches. Take to the sapphire waters for water sports, visit local fishing villages and sweat it out at the onsite fitness centre. Or, if relaxing’s more your jam, simply loll by the pool with a good book.